Shipping skid

ABSTRACT

A shipping skid adapted for attachment to the bottom of a major household appliance, such as a refrigerator, to provide improved protection for the refrigeration from impact during transportation.

United States Patent [1 1 Bricker et al.

1 1 SHIPPING SKID [75] Inventors: Francis G. Bricker, She1byvil1e;.1ackL. lsaacs; Douglas C. Nobbs, both of Louisville, all of Ky.

I73] Assignee: General Electric Company,

Louisville, Ky.

22 Filed: Aug. 19.1974

21 Appl.No.:498,5S7

108/51, 53; 206/521, 320, 326, 386; 229/23 C. 14 R, 14 C; 214/1 R [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2633.982 4/1953 Addison 206/326June 24, 1975 2.888122 5/1959 Budd 206/320 X 2972440 211961 Munroe206/320 X 3.073.438 1/1963 Martin v. 206/326 3.351189 11/1967 Huth206/320 3.436.045 4/1969 Anspaugh 248/1 19 R 3.471.113 10/1969 Fahey v.1 248/346 1471.1 16 10/1969 De Chcrric i H 206/320 3.504.842 4/1970Grafslund 206/320 X 3,648,959 3/1972 Wagner 248/346 3,699.901 10/1972Cook 108/51 X Primary E.\'amz'ner.1ames T. McCall [57] ABSTRACT Ashipping skid adapted for attachment to the bottom of a major householdappliance. such as a refrigerator to provide improved protection for therefrigeration from impact during transportation.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 24 ms FIG. 28

SHEET 1 SHEEI 4 1 SHIPPING SKID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In thepackaging art, it is often difficult to provide packaging elements whichare relatively inexpensive, adequately protect a packaged item, and areeasy to construct and install. These problems are further increasedwhere the items to be packaged and protected are sometimes relativelyheavy items, such as a house hold refrigerator for example. Also, wherethe relatively heavy items change, for example. from a householdrefrigerator to a clothes dryer, it is sometimes necessary to redesignthe packaging element to provide support at different locations.

It is therefore desirable to provide a shipping skid which isconstructed to protect against impact from several different directions,has reinforcing elements positioned at locations which permit thepackaged items to be widely differing, and which is relatively simpleand inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, the shippingskid is adapted to be secured to the bottom of the item with a networkof flanges in contact with a portion of the items case. The shippingskid has an elongated rectangular body having a base, longitudinal axis.and a pcripheral edge flange which extends in a first directionsubstantially normal to the base. First and second bosses are providedadjacent a respective end of the body and extend in the first directionfrom the base. A plurality of spaced-apart minor flanges extendlaterally across the base and in the first direction and connect opposedportions of the peripheral flange.

A network of major flanges extend in the first direction and along thelongitudinal axis. The network of major flanges, the peripheral flange,and the bosses are of a substantially common height. First and secondend flanges are each connected to the respective peripheral flange andboss for forming a unitary, sturdy skid structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a diagrammatic perspectiveview of the apparatus of this invention installed on a householdrefrigerator.

FIGS. 2A. 2B and 2C are diagrammatic top views of one embodiment of theapparatus of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the first end portion of theskid.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the first boss of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a lateral, partial sectional view of the skid along one of theminor flanges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the embodiment of FIG. I, theshipping skid I0 of this invention is attached to a householdrefrigerator I2.

In the skid embodiment of a composite of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. theshipping skid I0 has an elongated, rectangular. generally concave body14. The body 14 has a longitudinal axis and a peripheral edge flange 16extending in a first direction that is substantially normal to a base 18of the skid body I4.

First and second bosses 20. 22 (FIGS. 2A and 2C) extend in the firstdirection from the base I8. Each boss 2 20, 22 is positioned adjacent arespective end 24, 26 of the skid body I4.

A plurality of spaced-apart minor flanges 28 (FIGS. 28 and 2C) connectthe base 18 and opposed side portions 16a, I61: of the peripheral edgeflange I6. The minor flanges 28 extend laterally across the base 18 atsubstantially right angles to the axis and extend from the base I8upwardly or in the first direction.

A network 30 of major flanges 32 extend in the first direction from thebase 18 of the skid II]. The network 30 is spaced from the peripheraledge flange I6, extends generally along the skid axis, and connects thebosses 20, 22 (FIGS. 2A and 2C). The peripheral edge 16, bosses 20, 22,and major flanges 32 of the network 30 are of a substantially commonheight.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2C, first and second end flanges 34, 36 eachextend in the first direction from the base 18 and are each connected tothe peripheral flange I6 and a respective boss 20, 22. These flanges 34,36 can be along the axis of the network 30 or angularly disposedrelative thereto.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the skid l0 and itsassociated elements as set forth above are of organic plastic materialand are of a unitary construction. The skid can be formed by any method,for example injection molding. The organic plastic material can be ofvarious types known in the art. One especially useful material for usewith heavy-weight items such as household refrigerators is high-densitypolyethylene.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a boss flange 38 extends from an innerface40 of the first boss 20 in a direction toward the plane I of the baseflange 18 (in an opposed direction relative to said first direction).The boss flange terminates at a location spaced from the plane P of thebasev The boss flange 38 is an annular flange that is coaxiallypositioned within the first boss 20. Elements 42 can be provided forconnecting side walls of the boss flange 38 to side walls of the firstboss 20.

The boss flange 38 can be provided with any or all of the bosses of theskid and can be of a configuration other than annular for providing thefunction hereinafter more fully described.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions 44 extend from alower surface 46 of the base. The protrusions 44 extend downwardly fromthe lower surface 40 in a direction opposed to said first direction. Theprotrusions 44 are each preferably positioned on the base at a locationbeneath and immediately adjacent a respective minor flange 28.Protrusions 44 can be replaced by a gridwork or roughened surface.

As can be seen, the peripheral flange 16, the boss 20, and the majorflange 32 terminate at a substantially common elevation as set forthabove.

In order to provide strength and sufficient stiffness to protect arefrigerator from impacts against the peripheral flange l6, portions 49of the minor flange 28 adjacent the inncr section of the base 18 and theperipheral flange I6 are of a greater mass than the other portions ofthe minor flanges 28.

In order to protect the refrigerator against impact resulting fromflecture of the skid responsive to impact or other forces, theperipheral flange portions 60, 62 of FIG. 2A can be of greater mass thanother portions of said peripheral flange I6.

Referring to FIGS. 2A. 2B and 2C. the network 30 can be formed of majorflange system configurations that are common or that are different. Forexample. the major flange system 48 is formed of major flanges 32 havingan X configuration. the major flange system 50 is formed of majorflanges 32 having a rectangular configuration, the major flange system52 is similar to system 50 but has a cover element 54.

Supporting flanges 56 extend radially outwardly from each of the bosses20. 22 and are connected at their outer ends to a peripheral flange 16.

Referring to FIG. 1, the skid can also have a width "W" and length "Lsufficient to extend beyond the side and ends of the refrigerator in theinstalled position thereon for protecting the refrigerator againstimpact.

la the operation of the apparatus of this invention. the legs of therefrigerator 12 or other holding elements are positioned throughopenings of the bosses 20. 22 for securing the skid It] to therefrigerator. ln the installed position. the upper surface of thenetwork of major flanges 32 are in contact with the case of therefrigerator along the length thereof.

By so constructing the skid of this invention for association with theitem to be shipped. the item is releasably maintained with the skid bythe bosses 20. 22. The item is protected against side impacts and forcesby the side overhang as set forth above and the interaction of majorflanges 28 with the integral flange network 30. The item is protectedagainst end impacts or forces by the interaction of flanges 34, 36, 56with bosses 20, 22 and the integral flange network 30. Boss flange 38protects the boss 20 against severe and/or repeated impacts. lf theimpact is sufficient to cause the breaking down of edge 64, the item isstill protected against further impact by the edges 66 of the bossflange 38. Compressional forces during stacking and transportation arecarried by the edges of the various flanges and the integral bosses.

Other modifications and alterations of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussion. andit should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limitedthereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A shipping skid comprising:

an elongated rectangular body having a longitudinal axis. a base. and aperipheral edge flange extending in a first direction substantiallynormal to said base; first and second bosses each positioned adjacent arespective end of the body and extending in the first direction from thebase;

a plurality of spaced-apart minor flanges each extending laterallyacross the base and extending in the first direction and connectingopposed portions of the peripheral edge flange.

a network of major flanges each extending in the first direction fromthe base. said network being spaced from the peripheral flange.extending generally along the axis. and connecting the bosses. saidperipheral flange. bosses. and major flanges being of a substantiallycommon height; and

first and second end flanges each being connected to the peripheralflange and a respective boss and extending in the first direction fromthe base.

2. Apparatus. as set forth in claim I, including a boss flange extendingfrom an interface of the first boss in a direction toward the plane ofthe base. said boss flange terminating at the location spaced from theplane of the base.

3. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 2, wherein the boss flange is anannular flange coaxially positioned within the first boss.

4. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 2. including elements connecting theboss flange to side walls of the first boss.

5. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 1, including a plurality ofprotrusions. each extending from a lower surface of the base in adirection opposed to said first said direction. said protrusions beingpositioned on the base at a location beneath a respective minor flange.

6. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 1. wherein a portion of the flangesof the flange network are covered and positioned for forming coveredrectangular protrusions.

7. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 1. including supporting flangesextending radially outwardly from each of the bosses and being connectedto the peripheral flange.

8. Apparatus. as set forth in claim I. wherein the protrusions of theminor flanges adjacent the intersection of the base and the peripheralflange are of greater mass than the other portions of said minorflanges.

* k l k

1. A shipping skid comprising: an elongated rectangular body having alongitudinal axis, a base, and a peripheral edge flange extending in afirst direction substantially normal to said base; first and secondbosses each positioned adjacent a respective end of the body andextending in the first direction from the base; a plurality ofspaced-apart minor flanges each extending laterally across the base andextending in the first direction and connecting opposed portions of theperipheral edge flange; a network of major flanges each extending in thefirst direction from the base, said network being spaced from theperipheral flange, extending generally along the axis, and connectingthe bosses, said peripheral flange, bosses, and major flanges being of asubstantially common height; and first and second end flanges each beingconnected to the peripheral flange and a respective boss and extendingin the first direction from the base.
 2. Apparatus, as set forth inclaim 1, including a boss flange extending from an interface of thefirst boss in a direction toward the plane of the base, said boss flangeterminating at the location spaced from the plane of the base. 3.Apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the boss flange is anannular flange coaxially positioned within the first boss.
 4. Apparatus,as set forth in claim 2, including elements connecting the boss flangeto side walls of the first boss.
 5. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1,including a plurality of protrusions, each extending from a lowersurface of the base in a direction opposed to said first said direction,said protrusions being positioned on the base at a location beneath arespective minor flange.
 6. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, whereina portion of the flanges of the flange network are covered andpositioned for forming covered rectangular protrusions.
 7. Apparatus, asset forth in claim 1, including supporting flanges extending radiallyoutwardly from each of the bosses and being connected to the peripheralflange.
 8. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the protrusionsof the minor flanges adjacent the intersection of the base and theperipheral flange are of greater mass than the other portions of saidMinor flanges.